CESCO - Certified Environmental, Safety and Compliance Officer Emergency Preparedness and Response Questions and Answers

Question 1

A facility stores 750 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, which is listed as an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) with a Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ) of 500 pounds.
What is the facility's primary notification requirement under EPCRA Sections 302-303?

Accepted Answer

Notify the SERC and LEPC of the presence of the EHS and designate a facility emergency coordinator.

Answer

Submit annual Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Form R reports to the EPA.

Answer

Develop and submit a Risk Management Plan (RMP) to the EPA.

Answer

Submit annual Tier II hazardous chemical inventory forms to the SERC, LEPC, and local fire department.

Question 2

A facility's Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan must be certified by a Professional Engineer (PE). However, certain "qualified facilities" can self-certify their plans. Which of the following conditions must be met for a facility to be considered a qualified facility eligible for self-certification?

Accepted Answer

The facility has a total aboveground oil storage capacity of 10,000 U.S. gallons or less and has not had a significant oil spill in the past three years.

Answer

The facility has any amount of oil storage but is located more than 10 miles from a navigable waterway.

Answer

The facility stores only non-petroleum oils like animal fats and vegetable oils.

Answer

The facility's total oil storage capacity is less than 42,000 gallons and it is not a "major source" under the Clean Air Act.

Question 3

According to OSHA's standard on Emergency Action Plans (EAP), 29 CFR 1910.38, which of the following elements is required to be included in the plan?

Accepted Answer

Procedures for employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate.

Answer

A detailed list of all hazardous chemicals stored on-site with their corresponding Safety Data Sheets.

Answer

The name and specific qualifications of the on-site HAZMAT team leader.

Answer

A copy of the facility's most recent air permit and stormwater pollution prevention plan.

Question 4

During an emergency response to a chemical spill of an unknown substance, a response team is preparing to enter the hot zone. The team leader determines that the atmosphere poses the highest level of respiratory, skin, and eye hazard due to high concentrations of toxic and skin-absorbable vapors. What is the minimum level of PPE required for this entry under OSHA's HAZWOPER standard?

Accepted Answer

Level A

Answer

Level C

Answer

Level B

Answer

Level D

Question 5

Which of the following best distinguishes the primary purpose of the EPA's Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule from the planning requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)?

Accepted Answer

RMP is focused on preventing accidental releases at the source, while EPCRA is focused on community emergency response planning for releases that occur.

Answer

EPCRA applies to all OSHA-defined hazardous chemicals, while RMP applies only to flammable substances.

Answer

RMP plans are submitted to the LEPC and SERC, while EPCRA plans are submitted directly to the EPA.

Answer

RMP is an OSHA regulation for worker safety, while EPCRA is an EPA regulation for environmental protection.

Question 6

A CESCO is participating in a full-scale emergency drill at their facility that involves multiple outside agencies, including the local fire department and county HAZMAT team. To ensure effective and efficient management of this multi-agency response, what standardized management structure should be implemented?

Accepted Answer

The Incident Command System (ICS)

Answer

The Corporate Crisis Management Team

Answer

The HAZWOPER Site Safety and Health Plan

Answer

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC)